The deal was expected as the Times reported Aug. 31 that talks already were under way. Piniella signed the deals last week when his agent, Alan Nero, met the team in Baltimore, and it is expected to be announced during the Rays' final series of the season, Sept. 30-Oct. 2.

Piniella will pay heavily for the privilege of leaving, giving up half his $4.4-million salary for 2006, though he will have the option of taking another job or sitting out the 2006 season.

Piniella would not confirm or deny Wednesday that an agreement was reached.

"I'm not going to comment about this at all until the end of the year," he said before the Rays beat the Boston Red Sox 7-4. "My primary concern here is our team and our players. I don't want any distractions. So when the time is appropriate, we'll comment about my situation."

The team issued a similar statement: "In echoing the sentiments expressed by our manager Lou Piniella, we will have no comment on this matter until a more appropriate time, if that should present itself."

Piniella's departure, negotiated by Nero and senior vice president/general counsel John Higgins, is the first of what could be a shakeup of the Rays organization.

Managing general partner Vince Naimoli is considering an offer to turn control of the team over to general partner Stuart Sternberg, and if that happens, general manager Chuck LaMar and other, perhaps many, front-office employees are expected to be fired or reassigned.

The Rays coaches also face an uncertain future. All, plus senior adviser Don Zimmer, are signed through 2006 but are expected to be told they are free to pursue jobs with other teams if they want or can wait to see what assignments the Rays offer.

Piniella, 62, left the Mariners after 2002 season citing a desire to be closer to home. He signed a four-year, $13-million contract to return to his hometown and manage the Rays in 2003 expecting to lead the team into contention, but it did not turn out to be a happy homecoming. The Rays are headed to their second last-place finish in his three seasons.

He has repeatedly expressed his frustration and displeasure with the team's major league-low payroll, and in June he questioned ownership's commitment to winning.

Piniella has also expressed a preference to finish his managing career with a contending team and, though he will give serious consideration to sitting out next season, he is likely to be a candidate with several high-profile teams that may have openings, including the New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles and Florida Marlins.

If Piniella does not work for another team in 2006, he will receive $2.2 million. If he does take a job and makes in excess of $2.2 million, the Rays would receive additional financial compensation. The Rays also owe him $1.25 million in deferred salary.

SHORT HOPS: Braves SS Rafael Furcal set an Atlanta record with the 187th stolen base of his career, breaking the mark he shared with Otis Nixon. Hank Aaron holds the franchise record for stolen bases with 240, most of them while the Braves were in Milwaukee. Rabbit Maranville is second with 194, followed by Furcal. ... Phillies SS Jimmy Rollins singled in the fourth inning against the Braves to extend his hitting streak to 26 games, tying the franchise record since 1900. Chuck Klein had two 26-game streaks in 1930, while two players from the 1800s had longer streaks -- Billy Hamilton (36 games in 1894) and Ed Delahanty (31 in 1899). ... Tigers RHP Jeremy Bonderman, a Pasco native, will miss the remainder of the season due to a sore elbow. He went 14-13 with a 4.57 ERA this season. ... Orioles All-Star 2B Brian Roberts has ligament and tendon damage in his left arm and will need surgery that usually requires a recovery time of about six months.